What Is SmartBrain?
SmartBrain is a personal AI assistant that runs on the user's computer. Its knowledge base, notes, secrets, and remembered facts are stored locally and encrypted under a user-held passphrase, with no SmartBrain account or telemetry required.
Users can connect local models through Ollama or Apple MLX, or supply their own keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google. A local gateway routes chat, reasoning, embeddings, and summarization to the selected models.
Knowledge and Conversation
SmartBrain can search, read, and summarize documents, save notes, add tasks, draft email, and perform web searches after approval. It accepts formats including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, Markdown, CSV, JSON, and plain text, as well as website feeds.
Search combines keyword and semantic retrieval. Results identify their source and can point to a matching PDF page, presentation slide, or spreadsheet sheet. Built-in on-device transcription supports voice input, spoken replies, and a conversation mode without sending audio away from the machine.
Control and Privacy
Read operations can run freely, while actions that modify data or contact an external service wait for user approval. Sensitive actions such as sending email or deleting data always require confirmation, and every tool attempt is recorded in an audit log.
Network activity occurs only for configured services or requested operations, such as a cloud model, web search, Gmail, subscribed vault, or application update check. Optional phone access uses an encrypted connection and a relay that cannot read the traffic.
Organization and Automation
- Vaults group documents for scoped search and can be shared as sealed encrypted files or published for signed updates.
- The planner organizes approved tasks by due date, time, priority, and time horizon.
- Schedules run prompts once or on hourly, daily, or weekly intervals while the app is unlocked.
- Memory stores a readable list of names, instructions, and facts that the user can inspect or delete.
- A read-only MCP connection lets compatible desktop clients search the local knowledge base.
Setup and Recovery
SmartBrain supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, with Docker-based options for some systems. Initial setup consists of installing the app, creating an encryption passphrase, saving the Emergency Kit, and connecting either a local or cloud model.
Backups retain encrypted content and can be restored later. The Recovery Key and Emergency Kit are issued during setup and are the only recovery route if the passphrase is forgotten, because no third party holds a copy.